The runway at RAF Akrotiri on the island of Cyprus took 21 months to renovate.

Today it was officially opened so Britain’s Sovereign Base Area can be better equipped than ever before to combat threats to national security, the Ministry of Defence said.

The refurbished runway will be used by RAF aircraft as well as Britain’s coalition partners as they fly on missions to Syria to fight ISIS.

Mike Penning, minister for the Armed Forces, said: “This project has taken a tired and battered runway and transformed it into a modern, safe, 21st Century facility, capable of supporting operations for the next 20 years and beyond.

“This has been a unique and remarkable achievement.

"RAF Akrotiri is not just a refuelling spot or training base. This airfield matters.

"It has been at the forefront of supporting our most important military operations over the last decade and more, including the current campaign against Daesh.”